Retired Jerusalem judge: Netanyahu corruption trial will likely last three years

'It will be a minimum of three years. I simply did the arithmetic. There are 300 witnesses'

The former head of the Jerusalem District Court, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption is set to resume on Monday, estimated the proceedings against the premier are likely to last "at least three years."

“It will be a minimum of three years. I simply did the arithmetic. There are 300 witnesses...," retired judge Carmi Mosek told Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 on Saturday.

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“What’s more," Mosek continued, "this trial has begun unlike other trials: There is no effort to deal [efficiently] with the critical issues between the defense and the prosecution."

"Neither the defense nor the prosecution is prepared to dispense with a single one of their witnesses. In my opinion, they won’t reach any agreements on [non-central] issues [in dispute],” he added

His remarks come as the witness phase of Netanyahu's trial is set to begin Monday, with the state accusing the prime minister of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases. 

Netanyahu vociferously denies all wrongdoing and claims that the media, police, and state prosecution are working together to oust him from power. Read more at i24